Stockwater users face huge fee hike
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The cost for council stockwater services in Mid Canterbury could more than double.
The minimum charge for Ashburton District Council’s stockwater is proposed to increase from $260 to $700.
The cost increase will be part of a wider revenue and financing policy consultation process coinciding with the draft long-term plan, in which the council proposes to end delivering stockwater by June 2027.
Councillor Russell Ellis was concerned about the message the proposed increase could be sending.
“I wonder if there is a perceived risk to council going out with this increase to $700 at the same time we are going out with the stockwater closure in three years’ time, for people saying we are trying to influence that decision by doing this as well.”
But councillor Richard Wilson said the proposed increase would only help encourage stockwater users to start seriously considering alternate delivery options sooner.
“It will bring out where we are trying to head with stockwater.
“This will focus their minds and should help with our process.”
The targeted rate is based on the race length crossing or adjoining a property and is used to fund race maintenance.
A declining number of contributors means that the stockwater budget, which exceeds $1m, is being divided between fewer ratepayers over time and making the current approach unsustainable, the council report stated.
The solution is for the remaining users to pay more.
The minimum charge for race lengths up to 246m is proposed to more than double by increasing to $700.
The increase would also reduce the per metre charge for the races over the 246m.
The other options are to increase the charge to $500, increase it to $700 by 2025-26 – making consecutive $220 increases, or keep the status quo.
The council previously consulted on increasing the minimum charge to $600 in 2021.
The majority of the 105 submissions supported the status quo and the council decided to only increase the minimum charge by $50 each year for the first three years of the 2021-31 long-term plan.
Since 2021, there has been a reduction of 25% in stockwater ratepayers and a 20% reduction in network length, senior policy adviser Richard Mabon said.
It was unclear if the reductions were driven by the $50 increases or other factors, Mabon said.
Volumetric charging is not an option as the council is not able to gauge what each property uses.
Stockwater is part-funded from the general rate due to the community-wide benefit aspects, and in 2023-24 it was 7.5% of the total funding.
It is proposed to increase to be between 10% and 20%.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
Poll: Pedestrian access is being extended to the Ōtakaro Avon River - good idea?
Pedestrian access from one of Christchurch’s favourite streets is being extended all the way to the Ōtakaro Avon River. This new 12m-wide pathway will give you a direct, easy route from the street to the river promenade ... perfect for a stroll, a coffee run, or just soaking up the riverside vibes.
We want to know: In your view, what makes a city people-friendly?
What else should our urban areas be doing to support better community connections?
Curious about the full plans? You can check them out here.
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93.3% Yes
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6.7% No
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